Neoliberalism

I have been reading a lot lately about neoliberalism. It's a term I thought I understood, but didn't. The more I read about it the more I think it plays a big part in the mess society is in, and how it seems to always to be out of sight, yet we can always feel its power.

Neoliberalism as I understand it has many features of liberalism but also has a strong undercurrent of the belief that economic markets should be free of any interference so as to let the "invisible hand" of the market do its wonders.

I see markets that are not tightly regulated to be a scourge of society. I've seen firsthand what can happen when capitalism is unfettered. It's not pretty. Well, let me take that back--it is pretty for those who own the businesses and for those high up in management. For everyone else, well, not many glad tidings to proclaim. To put it succinctly, it the gig economy on steroids.

I'm always surprised there is not more pushback from society. But I am beginning to see that the forces that mitigate the pushback are enormous and not always visible.

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Moldy Whopper Anyone?

I just was reading an interesting article at cnn.com titled, "Burger King thinks moldy Whoppers will get you to buy more burgers." The part that got me was what Fernando Machado said; he's the Global Chief Marketing Officer for the parent company, Restaurant Brands International.

"We believe," he said, "that real food tastes better. That's why we are working hard to remove preservatives, colors and flavors from artificial sources from the food we serve in all countries around the world."

The puzzling thing I find is why did it just coincidentally happen when their sales have been plummeting and younger people are more oriented toward healthier food options that it dawn on them they have been down the wrong road for a number of decades? Was Mr Machado taking a shower and all of sudden think, "My God, no wonder our sales have been horrific! Real food definitely tastes better! All these years we have been wrong. All these preservatives and additives to to get our cattle much fatter, to keep the beef preserved longer, to get the food to look better, to give the meat a better mouth-feel, to make the food have a better aroma, well, I'm glad we now see the light!"

I think it has less to do with seeing the light and more to do with seeing the cash flow.

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Sugar, Salt, & Fat

I am almost finished reading the excellent book, Scientific Advances Regarding: Sugar, Salt, & Fat, 2nd edition, by Gina Willett, Ph.D., R.D. It's an easy-to-read book that affirms what many intuitively know--that the obesity epidemic is not so much Americans' lack of willpower as the big food companies doing whatever they can to maximize profits, including making foods at least quasi-addictive.

There are good, practical suggestions in the book on ways to mitigate the onslaught of highly-palatable foods and many references to back up her statements. It's an excellent start for people who want to try to have a slimmer waistline and live a longer life.

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Acquittal

President Trump has been acquitted related the impeachment trial. It was expected to go that way because of the scary obedience of the Senate Republicans (aside from Sen. Mitt Romney) to Trump's every wish and desire.

Though I feel sad and angry, it does open up much latitude for Democrats when there is a Democratic president. Simply put, Republicans (those in government and those in the populace) are now verboten to say anything negative about the said Democratic president. For instance, the following is off the table:

--President __________ is wrong for treating that country in that manner.
--The president should not have the power to do that!
--Someone needs to stop the president for all the awful things he is doing!

Republicans will get their comeuppance. Though, our democracy might be collateral damage.

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